ới

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "ới" is an interjection that is often used to grab someone’s attention or to call out to someone. It can be translated to "hey" in English, and it expresses a sense of urgency or friendliness.

Basic Usage:

• Calling Someone: It can be used when you want to call someone over or get their attention.

  • Example: "Ơi! Bạn ơi!" (Hey! You!)

• Calling Repeatedly: It is also used to call out repeatedly, similar to how one might shout for someone who is far away.

  • Example: "Cô ơi, cho tôi hỏi!" (Hey, ma'am, can I ask you something?)

Advanced Usage:

• Emphasizing Emotion: The word "ới" can add emotional nuance to a statement, making it more expressive.
  • Example: "Ôi, đẹp quá!" (Oh, how beautiful!)

Variants:

• "ơi ơi": This is a repetition of "ơi" which can emphasize calling someone or expressing strong feelings.
  • Example: "Ơi ơi, đợi tôi với!" (Hey, wait for me!)

Different Meanings:

• "ới" mainly serves as an attention-grabbing interjection, but when combined with other words, it can take on slightly different nuances based on context.

Synonyms:

• "Này" – This word is also used to call someone, similar to "hey" but less urgent.
• "Ê" – This is another informal way to grab someone's attention, often used among friends.

Cultural Note:

Using "ơi" is quite common in everyday Vietnamese conversation. It reflects friendliness and a casual tone, making it a good word to use when speaking with friends or acquaintances.

Summary:

In summary, "ới" is a versatile word in Vietnamese that helps in calling attention and expressing feelings, making conversations more lively and engaging.

Academic

1. cảm thán. hey; call repeatedly
   • ơi ới gọi đò
     to call repeatedly for the ferry-boat